Scholar to stay in jail despite bail

A court granted bail to a PhD scholar of Delhi University who was accused of blackmailing and outraging the modesty of a woman. He was, however, not released, because he failed to furnish a surety and a personal bond.

A court granted bail to a PhD scholar of Delhi University who was accused of blackmailing and outraging the modesty of a woman. He was, however, not released, because he failed to furnish a surety and a personal bond.

Metropolitan magistrate Dheeraj Mor granted relief to the accused, who is a junior research fellow, and imposed conditions, including payment of a personal bond and surety of R50,000 each.

The accused was sent to judicial custody till the next hearing on November 3.

“The imposition of conditions such as furnishing of surety of high amount has defeated the purpose of bail. We are going to approach superior courts to get the amount reduced,” said Amit Kumar, counsel for the accused.

In the bail plea, Kumar said the accused was a scholar and had no criminal antecedent. NK Tripathi, the complain-ant’s counsel, however, opposed the bail application. He said the accused had been harassing the woman since June 14, 2007.